Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus including a structure which, in use, rests on the floor and at least one resistance device which is engaged with the structure and which is actuable against a reaction force generated by the mass of a user on the structure. The structure includes opposed first and second ends and at least first and second resistance devices which are engaged at spaced locations with the structure at least at the first end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides exercise apparatus which includes a structurewhich, in use, rests on the floor and at least one resistance devicewhich is engaged with the structure and which is actuable against areaction force generated by the mass of a user on the structure.

The structure may be of any appropriate shape or size and be made fromany appropriate material e.g. moulded from a suitable plastics material.

In a preferred form of the invention the structure includes opposedfirst and second ends and at least first and second resistance deviceswhich are engaged at spaced locations with the structure at least at thefirst end.

Preferably the first and second resistance devices are also engaged atspaced locations with the structure at the second end.

The structure may include opposed third and fourth ends which arepositioned between the first and second ends.

The structure may be in the nature of a continuous sheet or it mayinclude one or more openings through which at least part of the floor isvisible. The latter feature may be adopted for aesthetic ormaterial-saving reasons.

As used herein the phrase “floor” includes any underlying support, e.g.the ground, a conventional floor or the like, upon which the exerciseapparatus rests.

In one form of the invention the structure comprises a framework formedfrom a plurality of interengaged frame members. The structure, in thisexample, may be of generally rectangular outline, viewed in plan, withthe first and second ends being formed respectively by first and secondframe members and the third and fourth ends being formed respectively bythird and fourth frame members. The first and second resistance devicesmay respectively extend alongside and adjacent at least the third andfourth frame members.

A central opening may optionally be formed between the first, second,third and fourth frame members.

In a different form of the invention the structure is formed at least byfirst and second frame sections which, preferably, are pivotally movablerelatively to each other between a first, operative, position at whichboth frame sections lie on the floor and a second, storage or transport,position at which one frame section is superimposed on the other framesection.

The frame sections may for example be attached to each other by means ofsuitable hinges or hinge material or the like.

Each frame section may be of any suitable shape. In one example eachframe member is in the nature of a U with adjacent first limbs of eachrespective frame section forming a first end of the structure andadjacent second limbs of each respective frame section forming a secondend of the structure. The third and fourth ends of the structure may bedefined by respective bases of the U-shaped frame sections.

Each resistance device may be of any appropriate type. It is preferredhowever for each resistance device to be made from an extensible membersuch as a spring or elastic band. In the latter case each elastic bandmay pass over one or more pulleys.

Each extensible member may be accommodated at least partly in a suitableformation formed in or on a respective frame section. Preferably thearrangement is such that when the frame sections are folded into thesecond, storage or transport position the various resistance devices areenclosed, at least partly, inside the superimposed frame sections.

The invention further extends to an exercise arrangement which includesexercise apparatus of the aforementioned kind and a user support deviceon top of the structure which provides support for a user who is workingon the or each resistance device and which transmits a reaction force,generated by the user's mass, to the structure so that it remains on thefloor or ground.

In a preferred form of the invention the user support device is movablewith a substantially rocking motion as a user acts on the resistancedevice or devices.

Depending on the force levels which are generated by a user the supportdevice can be moved by the user relatively to the exercise apparatus soas to counter any tendency of the exercise apparatus to lift off theground during use thereof.

The user support device may be of any appropriate kind but preferably isan inflatable device.

The exercise apparatus and the user support device may be shaped anddimensioned so that part of a lower surface of the user support devicerests on the floor and part on an upper surface portion of the exerciseapparatus. This feature is by no means essential and may be adopted foraesthetic, constructional or material-saving reasons only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of examples with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of exercise apparatus according to a firstform of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of exercise apparatus according to a secondform of the invention in a first or operative mode;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan and side views of the exercise apparatus shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows the exercise apparatus of FIG. 2 in a second, storage ortransport, mode; and

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate in perspective, from one side, in planand from one end respectively the exercise apparatus of FIG. 2 when usedin conjunction with an inflatable user support device. This combinationis referred to herein as “an exercise arrangement”.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates exercise apparatus 10according to a first form of the invention which includes a framestructure 12 and four resistance devices 14,16, 18 and 20 respectively.

The frame structure 12 has first and second frame members 22 and 24respectively and third and fourth frame members 26 and 28 respectively.

The frame members 22 and 24 respectively define first and second ends ofthe frame structure and are spaced apart and are parallel to each other.Similarly the frame members 26 and 28 define third and fourth ends ofthe frame structure. These frame members are also spaced apart and areparallel to each other and extend between the frame members 22 and 24. Acentral opening 30 is formed between the encircling frame membersthrough which an underlying ground or floor support is visible.

Each resistance device 14 to 20 comprises a respective rubber band 34.The construction of only the resistance device 14 is described hereinfor the resistance devices are substantially similar to each other.

The elastic band 34 of the device 14 is anchored at one end 36 to asuitable attachment component 38 which is fixed to the frame member 22at a respective end thereof. The band 34 extends to a pulley 40 fixed toone end of the frame member 24 directly opposing the attachmentcomponent 38. The band then returns to a pulley 42 which is mounted tothe attachment component 38 and terminates in a lug or similar mechanism44 to which is attached a handle 48 which can be gripped by a user. Thehandle is shown detached from the lug but normally is secured thereto.

The various frame members are interengaged through the use of suitableT-connectors 50. The frame members can be permanently engaged with theT-connectors or can be releasably engaged therewith to enable the framestructure to be disassembled into a compact mode (not shown) for storageand transport purposes.

The manner in which the exercise apparatus 10 is used is similar to themanner in which the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is used and thus is notdescribed further herein. It is to be understood that the descriptionwhich follows herein and which relates to the way of use of the FIG. 2apparatus is similar in all practical respects to the way in which theapparatus 10 is used.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective, plan and side views respectively ofexercise apparatus 58 according to a second form of the invention. Theexercise apparatus includes a frame 60 made from first and second framesections 62 and 64 which are each roughly U-shaped when viewed in plan.The frame section 62 includes a first limb 66, a second opposed limb 68,and a base or transverse portion 70. The corresponding components in thesection 64 are similarly numbered but with the suffix “A”. Abuttingsurfaces 72 and 72A of the limbs 66 and 66A respectively, and 74 and 74Aof the limbs 68 and 68A respectively, are secured to each other by meansof respective hinges 76 and 78 on a lower side of the frame 60.

The limbs 66 and 66A, and 68 and 68A, have relatively flat, planar uppersurfaces. Upper edge surfaces of the bases 70 and 70A, on the otherhand, are curved outwardly substantially the form of inverted channelsections.

As is shown in dotted outline in FIGS. 3 and 4 resistance devices 14Aand 14B, similar to those used in the exercise apparatus 10, are mountedto the frame sections 62 and 64. Attachment components 38A and 38B,which are substantially similar to the corresponding component 38 shownin FIG. 1, are secured to opposed corners 80 and 82 of the structureformed respectively at the junctions of the limb 66 and the base 70, andthe limb 66A and the base 70A. Pulleys 84 and 84A, and 86 and 86A, areattached to the respective attachment components and project upwardlythrough corresponding holes 88 and 90 in the frame sections. Guide anddirection-changing pulleys 96, 98, 100 and 102 are located on anunderside of the frame 60 adjacent the other two respective cornersthereof.

The resistance devices 14A and 14B include two elastic bands designated34A and 34B respectively. The band 34A extends around the pulley 84 andis connected to a handle, not shown, similar to the handle 48 shown inFIG. 1. The band passes around the pulley 96, across the second limbs 68and 68A, around the pulley 100 and is then anchored to the attachmentdevice 38B. Alternatively as is described hereinafter, a handle, notshown, can be attached to this end which then passes around the pulley86A. Similarly the band 34B extends around the pulley 86 with therespective end being attached to a handle, not shown. The band thenpasses around the pulleys 102 and 98 and the other end thereof is thenanchored to the attachment component 38A. Alternatively, as is describedhereinafter, a handle, not shown, can be attached to this end which thenpasses around the pulley 84A.

The frame sections 62 and 64 are shaped and dimensioned so that acentral opening 106 is formed between the frame sections. The ground orfloor on which the exercise apparatus rests is visible through thisopening.

FIGS. 6 to 9 are perspective, side, plan and end views respectively ofthe exercise apparatus 58 illustrating how it is used together with auser support device 110. In combination the exercise apparatus 58 andthe user support device 110 are referred to herein as an “exercisearrangement”.

The user support device 110 may be of any appropriate kind but in apreferred form of the invention the user support device is made from aninflatable material. The user support device is preferably of the kinddescribed in the specification of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/639,525 and the content of that specification is hereby whollyincorporated into this specification.

The user support device, in this example, includes a lower convex groundengaging surface 112 and an upper surface 114 formed by a convex end116, a concave seat region 118 and a relatively large convex backsupporting region 120. The upper surface 114 further includes aplurality of pockets, defined by inflatable sections of material, whichextend over the end 116 and the back region 120.

The apparatus 58 and the support device 110 are shaped and dimensionedso that, as is shown particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, sides 124 and 126 ofthe inflatable support device, which bulge outwardly, rest on thecorresponding curved edges 70 and 70A of the frame sections. A portion128 of the lower ground engaging surface 112, with the user supportdevice in the FIG. 7 position, rests on inner edges 130 and 130A of thelimbs 66 and 66A, see FIG. 3, which are curved inwardly into the centralopening 106. Similarly a portion 132 of the lower ground engagingsurface 112 rests on edges 134 and 134A of the limbs 68 and 68A. On theother hand due to the slightly resilient and compressible nature of theuser support device, which results from the fact that it is formed froman inflatable body, a substantial portion of the lower ground engagingsurface extends through the central opening 106 onto the ground or floorwhich supports the exercise apparatus 58.

It is possible for a user, not shown, to make use of the support device110 in a manner which has been described in the specification of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/639,525 without making active use of theexercise apparatus 60. The benefit in this regard is that as the usergoes through an exercise routine which may cause the user support deviceto move to and fro, the stability of the user support device is enhancedby virtue of the fact that, at least to some extent, it is guided formovement by the underlying exercise apparatus on which it rests.

A primary objective, however, with the exercise arrangement of theinvention (the combined exercise apparatus and the user support device)is that a user on the support device is able to work on the resistancedevices 14A and 14B while seated or otherwise resting on the usersupport device. Thus, for example, with the exercise arrangement in theFIG. 7 configuration, a user seated on the seat region 118 can grip thehandles 48 which are connected to the resistance bands 34A and 34B anddo arm or bicep curls in a forward or reverse direction. The user canalso do leg curls or leg raises either by engaging his feet with thehandles 48 or by connecting a cross bar to the opposed handles andpositioning the knees underneath the cross bar. Another exercisepossibility is for the user to do a seated rowing action by working thehandles 48, by hand, to and fro.

If the support device 110 is turned around, when viewed in plan, by180°, then the end 116 is adjacent the limbs 68 and 68A. The user canthen effectively lie on the upper support surface 114 with the backpassing over the region 120, grip the handles 48 and do bench pressmovements or arm curls with the arms starting at positions below thentorso and then extending upwardly.

In each of the aforementioned exercise modes the user support devicetransfers the user's mass and a force which is dependent on the forcesexerted by the actuated resistance bands, to the underlying exerciseapparatus. The exercise apparatus is of a rigid construction but theuser support device is resiliently compressible and is in the nature ofa cushion. The support device thus acts as an effective interfacebetween the user and the exercise apparatus providing contoured andbody-engaging support for the user.

In use of the exercise arrangement there is a natural tendency for theuser support device to move to and fro relatively to the exerciseapparatus as the force which is exerted by the user varies and as theorientation of the user's body varies. As the user support device restsfreely on the exercise apparatus but otherwise is constrained to someextent to move in a particular direction by the outwardly bulging edgeformations 70 and 70A, which act as guide formations, the aforementionedtype of relative movement is readily accommodated and allowed for but ina manner which ensures that the user is at all times given firm,comfortable and effective support.

Another factor is that the position of the user support device can bemoved relatively to the exercise apparatus to take account of the forceswhich are generated by the user. If these forces are high there could bea tendency for the exercise apparatus to be lifted thereby. This can becountered by moving the support device closer to the pulleys at whichthe handles 48 are located for the effective moment (force x distance)exerted on the exercise device is then reduced.

Various other modes of use of the exercise apparatus, not describedherein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The resistance forces generated by the resistance bands can be varied bychanging the band material or its dimensions or by increasing orreducing the number of bands which are connected to the respectivehandles.

The resistance bands can also be configured in different ways. Forexample handles can be attached to opposed ends of a single band, or anumber of bands which are in parallel to each other. In this arrangementboth arms then act on one resistance device, as opposed to the situationwhich has been described wherein each arm acts on a separate resistancedevice.

When the exercise apparatus 58 is not in use it can be folded into acompact form as shown in FIG. 5. This facilitates storage and transportof the exercise apparatus. The two frame sections are pivoted about thehinges 76 and 78 and are moved to superimposed positions at which theresistance bands are enclosed between the frame sections. The usersupport device 110 when deflated, can also be folded into a compactform. Optionally the exercise apparatus 58 can be formed with anenclosure or pocket in which the deflated user support device 110 can beaccommodated.

As previously mentioned the exercise apparatus 10 can be usedessentially in the same way as the apparatus 58. The use of theapparatus 10 is therefore not further described herein.

The shape of the exercise apparatus can be varied in any appropriate waytaking into account constructional and operational requirements, costs,aesthetic factors and other aspects. Thus it is to be understood thatthe exercise apparatus is not restricted, in shape, to the examplesillustrated herein.

1. Exercise apparatus which includes a structure which, in use, rests onthe floor and at least one resistance device which is engaged with thestructure and which is actuable against a reaction force generated bythe mass of a user on the structure.
 2. Exercise apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the structure includes opposed first and second ends andat least first and second resistance devices which are engaged at spacedlocations with the structure at least at the first end.
 3. Exerciseapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the structure is formed at leastby first and second frame sections which are pivotally movablerelatively to each other between a first, operative position at whichboth frame sections lie on the floor and a second, storage position atwhich one frame section is superimposed on the other frame section. 4.Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each frame member is inthe nature of a U with adjacent first limbs of each respective framesection forming a first end of the structure and adjacent second limbsof each respective frame section forming a second end of the structure.5. Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each resistancedevice is a respective elastic band which is accommodated at leastpartly in a suitable formation formed in or on a respective framesection, such that that when the frame sections are folded into thesecond, storage position each resistance device is enclosed, at leastpartly, inside the superimposed frame sections.
 6. An exercisearrangement which includes exercise apparatus according to claim 1 and auser support device on the structure which provides support for a userwho is working on the at least one resistance device and which transmitsa reaction force, generated by the user's mass, to the structure so thatit remains on the floor.
 7. An exercise arrangement which includes astructure which rests on the floor, at least one elastic band which isengaged with the structure, and an inflatable device which rests atleast partly on the structure, which is movable relatively to thestructure, and which provides support for a user who exercises againstthe at least one elastic band.
 8. An exercise arrangement according toclaim 7 wherein the structure includes at least one guide formation toassist in retaining the user support device on the structure.